Holistic Healing For Beginners
Holistic healing…what does it mean and how can I start? How do I know if I need this type of healing? Discover the essence of holistic healing and learn how you can get started in this post!
What does holistic mean?
To understand what holistic healing entails, we first need to understand what the word holistic even means.
I think the term ‘holistic‘ is often confused with the term ‘natural’, but this is not really what holistic means. Holistic means to look at something as a ‘whole’ or in its entirety. So in relation to us humans, holistic means looking at our entire being.
What makes us up as human beings?
We have our body and we have our mind. We also have our soul or spirit, the part of you that not only makes you, you, but connects you to others.
I think the confusion surrounding the term ‘holistic’ may stem from the fact that often more ‘natural’ things are what make our body, mind, and soul feel good. Eating an apple feels better for you than eating a bag of processed potato chips. So in this case, yes, the more ‘natural’ choice is more holistic, but we need to remember that this isn’t what this word really means. We can do all the ‘natural’ things but if we never work on the connection of the mind, body, soul, we won’t experience holistic healing.
What is holistic healing?
Holistic healing is when you take into consideration your body, your mind, AND your soul when it comes to healing and you acknowledge and work with the connection of these three parts.
Think about how exercising can boost your mental health or how meditation can help decrease physical pain. These are simple examples where the connection of the mind and body is illuminated.
When you exercise your physical body, why does your mind feel better? Because the two are connected. What impacts the mind impacts the body and vice versa.
Now, what if we take this a step further and think about the soul? What makes you feel good on a soul level?
Finding spiritual healing and connecting with your spiritual side can also positively impact the mind and body, just as in the example before. Remember, this connection extends to ALL three parts of our being.
Who should use holistic healing?
Holistic healing can be used by anyone, whether you are suffering from physical, mental, or emotional issues or for those who simply wish to develop a deeper connection within themselves.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace medical treatment, but rather to be used in addition to it. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper medical advice and treatment.
How do I start the journey of holistic healing as a beginner?
The first step in holistic healing is simply recognizing the connection of the mind, body, and soul. You may have heard of this concept before, maybe multiple times, but have you taken the time to truly recognize and acknowledge this connection?
Step one is really that simple, notice and honor this connection. Know that your mind, body and spirit/soul are working together and that you can tap into this connection to create positive changes and healing.
Step two is asking yourself if you are taking the time to nurture all parts of your being.
The body tends to be the easiest because we are familiar with the concept of taking care of our physical bodies. We are taught these things – eat healthy, exercise, get enough sleep etc. These things are all true and are all important in terms of holistic healing. We can’t skip the ‘mundane’ steps in terms of health, we are human after all!
The mind can be a little more challenging to care for but it’s also relatively familiar to us, especially in these modern times where we emphasize taking care of our mental health. Our society is moving in the right direction, yay! So many of us have some familiarity with things we can do to care for our mind – allowing the mind time to rest in meditation, taking time away from the TV or computer, or feeding your mind positive thoughts. These are some examples of ways to care for the mind. Maybe you know these things but are you doing them?
The soul is where people may feel stuck. How do you care for your soul/spirit? The beauty is that there isn’t one answer. It’s an evolving exploration of what makes you feel good on a soul level. Remember, everything is connected, so by already taking care of your body and mind, you are taking care of your soul. But…to really experience holistic healing, I recommend taking this a step further and actively taking time to nurture this part of your being.
To nurture your spirit, find what activities help you feel connected on a soul level. If you have no idea what this means, my best description of feeling connected on a soul level is when you feel a sense of peace and connection. For me personally, meditation does helps calm my mind, but it really helps me connect with my soul. Meditation may sound like an obvious idea (probably because it is really great for this) but it’s not the only way to connect with your spiritual side. Maybe you feel really connected and drawn to nature or maybe you feel revitalized after connecting with people who are uplifting. You can also explore things that are more spiritual like yoga or learn about spiritual topics.
There’s not one answer for working on your spiritual health, it’s really about tapping into an exploratory nature to find where you feel this connection.
The importance of spiritual health in holistic healing
You’ll be surprised what profound healing can occur just by opening yourself up spiritually, I know I was!
Spirituality is often lost in our modern world because everything is so externally focused, and to connect with our spirituality, we need to turn our attention inward. When you experience peace and calm within, your being can heal. This connection with your soul is basically bringing you back into a state of balance.
This isn’t simple or easy, but it is attainable for everyone.
Our human nature tries to pull us away from recognizing our spiritual side and we have to continually work to remind the body and mind that we are spiritual beings. Yes, we are experiencing a human existence and can do all the human things, but the real truth is that we are more than this human form. This isn’t a religious statement, you can be of any religion or of no religion to recognize this. I also know this may sound esoteric, but it’s the truth of holistic healing. If you forget this point, it’s going to be difficult to find the healing that you’re looking for. And if you’re here reading this, I’m guessing you are looking for more than modern society offers.
The more you connect with your spiritual side, the more beauty and fulfillment you will experience in this human life.
Holistic Healing Recap
Holistic healing means taking time to care for your physical body & physical health, for your mind & mental health, and for your soul & spiritual health.
It’s about working with the interconnection of the three to find healing.
It’s a journey to reconnect with your highest self.
It’s an exploration of all parts of you, human and spiritual.
If you really put the work in, you’ll find that holistic healing can be truly transformational.
For my information on holistic living, check out the blogs in this section of my website: Holistic Living
Embrace the power of holistic healing to find balance and renewal within.
